A Jefferson County resident was kind enough to take my studio colleague and I out on the Wacissa River this past Saturday. Before making arrangements to visit the Wacissa, it was the understanding of our group that getting to know the river was necessary before reaching any conclusions about what the priorities in the county currently are. During our numerous trips to the area, especially at the recent BOCC meeting, I have spoken with residents who have told me that the ultimate priority for them is the preservation of the Wacissa River and its surrounding environment.
When we arrived at the headwaters, our guide already had his airboat in the water and was carrying a conversation with another gentleman who was playing with his young son and Labrador Retriever in the water. Our guide took a moment to speak with us about the current condition of the river. Though drought conditions had lowered water levels by approximately two feet, the water remained clear and pristine and one could see the smaller fish swimming to and fro near the bank. A rope swing hung from a tree just to the right of where we stood.
The county recently closed a second boat ramp located farther down the river. Our guide, Mr. Stephen Walker of Waukeenah, explained how the boat ramp on which we stood was currently the only boat ramp available to anyone wanting relatively easy access to the river. The county had closed the second boat ramp under the assumption that they would be deeded another ramp quickly. This has not happened yet. Mr. Walker explained how this has been problematic because swimmers access the river using the same ramp he and others use to load their boats into the river. Luckily, we had chosen a day that many people had decided to use for canoeing and kayaking, so he did not need to dodge swimmers near the ramp as we departed.
The trip started slowly and we were able to take in the sights of the glassy water and the amazing aquatic environment beneath it. Our guide also stopped at Blue Springs. My colleague and I both jumped into the rejuvenating deep blue water and even tried our luck a few times with the rope swing attached to a tree there. Large fish swam beneath us as a Blue Heron flew overhead. As we climbed for another attempt at the rope swing, we saw a snake swimming in the water. Though it seemed that is was just swimming away from the disturbance of our swimming and splashing, we were extremely cautious moving forward.
Mr. Walker took us farther down river and showed us the old dam that had been constructed to allow the laying of railroad tracks. Though the tracks have been removed for a while now, a large portion of the dam remains. An eight foot gap was dug into the dam to allow passage back and forth. Our guide also told us about the "slave canals." These are canals that were dug by slaves to allow for the transport of cotton from the Wacissa to the Aucilla. They were unsuccessful, however, due to continuously low water levels and were abandoned years after they were dug. Some remain to this day but we were unable to travel far enough to see them.
The width of the river and the unobstructed view of the sky from the water made me think about coming back to the river at night during a full moon. The river is a beautiful resource and it is one I can understand being priority for residents in Jefferson County.
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